Hi im dan. Im a rookie defender owner and enthusiast. Accuired a 1985 defender 90.

Danjo said:

Yes the switch does nothing in any position. So no dome light or clock lights

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Have tried new bulb in dome light but nothing

I would start at the basics and check if your bulbs are actually fitted and working / plugged in.

Have you checked the rear of the instrument panel?

Cheers

neilly said:

I would start at the basics and check if your bulbs are actually fitted and working / plugged in.

Have you checked the rear of the instrument panel?

Cheers

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Will try and look tonight. Assumed that as the dome light is on the same switch and looks to be connected it might be something else.

Never owned or fiddled with new or old cars so its all new to me.

Cheers

Welcome, you're in for oldest running 90/110 list........................ electrics are start from the beginning, clean all fuses and the springy holders, [emery or wet & dry], then earths behind instruments/switches etc. then bulbs and anything you can find. Good luck

Well it sounds like you got yourself a good car to learn on............

Just take your time and be methodical, Get yourself a workshop manual for it.

Cheers

Danjo said:

Its had a 200tdi conversion at some point. So i guesd they are refered to as simply a ninety?

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Yes exactly, Ninety and One-Ten for that age. Better quality build and thicker metal than Defenders and galvanised fittings

Check your fuses then it's wiring investigation time unfortunately which might involve working your way through many many years of someone else's 'improvements'. Does it have a working clock and or cigarette lighter socket?

It has a working lighter. There is no clock. It has what looks like a pod put in middle of dash which houses a cb radio which works, the lighter, a switch for the rear lights and front side lights (both on same switch), and rear wiper motor switch. Plus a switch with nothing attatched.
Will get some photos. Difficult with dark after and before work . Will try set up a light tonight

Danjo said:

Yes the switch does nothing in any position. So no dome light or clock lights

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Test to see if power goes to the switch, if it does, try a new switch.

Will do.. better go and buy myself a multimeter

Danjo said:

Will do.. better go and buy myself a multimeter

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Bit of wire and a bulb holder and bulb works if you cba!

Also well worth having a look at earths, a common problem on old landies.

Danjo said:

And a cb radio instead of a stereo

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Danjo said:

It has what looks like a pod put in middle of dash which houses a cb radio which works

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I ended up with a similar pod in mine when I became the 15th owner of my landy, however on mine, there was a slot ready to take a stereo next to the CB - after a day's wiring, installing speakers, and installing a stereo, I was up and running! What a waste of time that was! If your '85 90 is anything like my '87 90, you'll only be able to hear your stereo at idle.

Welcome Dan and I see you r experiencing the joy of Land Rover ownership already. Stick with it, it's worth it in the long run!

HeywoodFloyd said:

I ended up with a similar pod in mine when I became the 15th owner of my landy, however on mine, there was a slot ready to take a stereo next to the CB - after a day's wiring, installing speakers, and installing a stereo, I was up and running! What a waste of time that was! If your '85 90 is anything like my '87 90, you'll only be able to hear your stereo at idle.

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Planning to do just that lol. Just gotta work out wiring stereo in. Need some kind of music . The cb has been cut into a blank space which looks like its for a headunit also so hopefully will fit.

flat said:

Welcome Dan and I see you r experiencing the joy of Land Rover ownership already. Stick with it, it's worth it in the long run!

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Thanks for the welcone. Looks quite daunting but going to stick with it

flat said:

Welcome Dan and I see you r experiencing the joy of Land Rover ownership already. Stick with it, it's worth it in the long run!

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Good point, I forgot to say Welcome Dan. I'm not far ahead of you, I bought my first landy only a few months ago and I've already learned an unimaginable amount of things not only about land rovers, but about mechanics, electronics, welding, and off-roading. It's fun, addictive, and I'm broke already - next up - probably get kicked out by the wife at this rate

Welcome to the infuriating world of Land Rover ownership mate....world of info on here - you'll be here alot....!!!!

HeywoodFloyd said:

I ended up with a similar pod in mine when I became the 15th owner of my landy, however on mine, there was a slot ready to take a stereo next to the CB - after a day's wiring, installing speakers, and installing a stereo, I was up and running! What a waste of time that was! If your '85 90 is anything like my '87 90, you'll only be able to hear your stereo at idle.

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Two words for you pal ,Rockford Fostgate. You need a nice little amp and sub package then you'll hear it two streets away

HeywoodFloyd said:

If your '85 90 is anything like my '87 90, you'll only be able to hear your stereo at idle.

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Soundproofing mat under the bonnet, on the bulkhead and trans tunnel works well.

Turboman said:

Soundproofing mat under the bonnet, on the bulkhead and trans tunnel works well.

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I've just done one on the trans tunnel (well, actually the whole of the front floor of the cab) - actually made quite a difference, but not enough - hadn't considered the bonnet - there's such a whopping big gap around it that it doesn't seem worth it?